Obama to declare Chimney Rock archaeological area a NMon; will continue to be managed by USFS

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will designate Chimney Rock as a national monument Friday — a move that will help preserve the 4,726 acres in southwestern Colorado, administration officials told The Denver Post Wednesday.

Chimney Rock is composed of a chunk of the San Juan National Forest and is surrounded by the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.

The land will be managed by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Forest Service and White House officials said they will work with the tribes in the area.